NIT Tournament: Alabama Falls To Wichita State In NIT Final

It's official: the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide have another statue to construct after very nearly topping the No. 4 Wichita State Shockers for the 2011 NIT championship. The Tide fell just short, 66-57, with their furious comeback in the final minutes working contrary to the goals of the average comeback as the Shockers pulled away.

Still, SEC! Alabama faithful repped hard in Madison Square Garden, chanting "ROLL TIDE" with vigor even when the team gave up an early lead and started to struggle with Wichita State's shooting.

Tony Mitchell and JaMychal Green led the Tide in scoring, with Mitchell putting up a double-double. Wichita State drilled seven three-pointers in the game, though three of those were at the very end. Graham Hatch and J.T. Turley scored 12 each, powering the Shockers to their first-ever national tourney title of any sort. 

For more on this game, Bama fans should join Roll Bama Roll, and Wichita State should roll up on Mid Major Madness.

In what was an outstandingly competitive game, Alabama took the lead for good on Trevor Releford's lay up with just 13 seconds remaining in the game. Alec Burks game-tying attempt at the buzzer didn't find the mark and the Crimson Tide escaped with a 62-61 victory and a spot in Thursday's NIT championship game.

JaMychal Green scored 22 points to lead Alabama before fouling out late. Trevor Releford added 13 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and six steals for the Tide.  Alec Burks led the Buffaloes with 20 points. Levi Knutson added 14 points for Colorado.

Alabama (25-11), advances to the final where it will take on No. 4 seed Wichita State who earlier defeated Washington State 75-44.  

2011 NIT Tournament Final Four schedule:

Wichita St. Shockers def. Washington State, 75-44

Alabama Crimson Tide def. Colorado Buffaloes, 62-61

Championship Game, March 31 at 7 pm ET, ESPN2

For more on the NIT: Bama fans should visit Roll Bama Roll, Colorado fans should head to Ralphie Report and SB Nation Denver, Washington State fans are off to Coug Center and SB Nation Seattle, and our mid-major friends should visit Mid Major Madness

Wichita State earns a spot in Thursday's NIT Championship game by defeating Washington State by the score of 75-44. The Shockers set a school record in the process capturing their 28th win of the season. 

Wichita State took a control early leading 36-19, and didn't let up in the second half. The game was just a struggle for Washington offensively the entire game as they on could muster 29% shooting from the floor in the game. To say Wichita State had their way would be an understatement. Consider the Shockers out rebounded Washington State by a 51-21 count including 17-5 on the offensive glass. 

Garrett Stutz led the Shockers with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Toure' Murry added 13 while Gabe Blair tossed in 10. DeAngelo Casto and Reggie Moore each tossed in nine points for the Cougars.

Wichita State advances to the finals where they will take on the winner of tonight's match up between Alabama and Colorado. 

2011 NIT Tournament Final Four schedule:

Wichita St. Shockers def. Washington State, 75-44

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Colorado Buffaloes, March 29 at 9 pm, ESPN2

Championship Game, March 31 at 7 pm ET, ESPN2

For more on the NIT: Bama fans should visit Roll Bama Roll, Colorado fans should head toRalphie Report and SB Nation Denver, Washington State fans are off to Coug Center and SB Nation Seattle, and our mid-major friends should visit Mid Major Madness.

The 2011 NIT Tournament has reached its Final Four, which will begin at Madison Square Garden on March 29, with the title game scheduled for March 31. The Alabama Crimson Tide blew away the Miami Hurricanes 79-64 Wednesday night to join Colorado as the only No. 1 seeds to make the Garden, while Wichita State handled Bobby Cremins’ College of Charleston Cougars to meet the Washington St. Cougars on the other side.

The Cougars beat the Northwestern Wildcats 69-66 in overtime.

2011 NIT Tournament Final Four schedule:

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Colorado Buffaloes, March 29 at 9 pm, ESPN2
Wichita St. Shockers vs. , March 29 at 7 pm, ESPN2

Championship Game, March 31 at 7 pm ET, ESPN2

For more on the NIT: Bama fans should visit Roll Bama Roll, Colorado fans should head to Ralphie Report and SB Nation Denver, Washington State fans are off to Coug Center and SB Nation Seattle, and our mid-major friends should visit Mid Major Madness.

The 2011 NIT Basketball Tournament has reached the quarterfinals (let’s call it Elite Eight!) stage, with three teams of Southeastern interest still in the running, provided you can wrap your mind around considering Miami, Florida part of the Southeast. There’s a difference between Southeast and Southeastern United States, you understand.

The SEC’s and ACC’s lone remaining reps aim to eliminate each other Wednesday night, as the Canes travel to play Alabama. The winner will advance to take on Colorado or Kent State next week in Madison Square Garden. A Tide-Buffaloes matchup would be interesting, as they’re the only two teams left that had any sort of argument to being included at-large in the NCAA Tournament.

College of Charleston is out for a third-straight upset against Wichita State Wednesday night, three days after the Shockers downed tourney fave Virginia Tech. The Cougars have already topped the defending NIT champs and a No. 2 seed. The winner of that game will get either Northwestern or Washington State. I don’t have much to say about Northwestern or Washington State.

NIT Tournament bracket and TV schedule:

Left Bracket

Miami Hurricanes at Alabama Crimson Tide, March 23, 9 pm ET, ESPN2
Kent St. Golden Flashes at Colorado Buffaloes, March 22, 9 pm ET, ESPN

Right Bracket

Northwestern Wildcats at Washington St. Cougars, March 23, 11 pm ET, ESPN2
Charleston Cougars at Wichita St. Shockers, March 23, 7 pm ET, ESPN2

The Southeastern sports fan's rooting interests in the 2011 NIT Tournament: rapidly dwindling. SEC fans, Alabama is still up, and the general ACC fan could root for Miami, I guess, though Georgia Tech fans still have Bobby Cremins' College of Charleston to root for.

After No. 1 Virginia Tech's overtime upset at the hands of Wichita State, which came in Blacksburg despite a heavy free throw advantage in favor of the Hokies, Colorado and Bama are the only No. 1 seeds left.

Both Miami and Alabama will play tonight, along with the Oklahoma State-Washington State game, to decide who makes the quarterfinals. Quarterfinals winners are off to Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks and the illustrious 2011 Big East Tournament, which marked the last time a Big East team won a postseason game as far as I know.

For more on the NIT, visit Mid Major Madness. For more Bama, head to Roll Bama Roll, and for more Miami, stop by Seventh Floor Blog.

Updated 2011 NIT Tournament bracket and TV schedule:

Left bracket:

• No. 4 New Mexico Lobos at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, March 21 at 9, ESPN
• No. 3 Missouri State Bears at No. 2 Miami Hurricanes, March 21 at 7, ESPN
• No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes defeats  No. 4 California Golden Bears, 89-72
• No. 7 Kent St. Golden Flashes defeats No. 6 Fairfield Stags, 72-68

Right bracket:

• No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats defeats No. 1 Boston College Eagles, 85-67
• No. 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys at  No. 2 Washington St. Cougars, March 21 at 11:30, ESPN2
• No. 4 Wichita St. Shockers at No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies, 79-76 OT
• No. 6 Charleston Cougars defeats No. 2 Cleveland St. Vikings, 64-56

For more college basketball, visit SB Nation's NCAA Basketball hub.

Bobby Cremin's College of Charleston has reached the 2011 NIT Tournament quarterfinals after pulling off a road upset against No. 2 Cleveland State, 64-56. The Cougars will next get the winner of Sunday's Virginia Tech-Wichita State matchup, likely meaning a trip to Blacksburg to play the March Madness-snubbed Hokies. The winner of that game will be off to Madison Square Garden for the NIT Final Four.

Boston College became the first ACC team and first No. 1 seed to fall, losing 85-67 to Northwestern. The Wildcats will wait to see who wins between Oklahoma State and Washington State on Monday. No. 1 Colorado, the only other team to play Saturday, beat No. 4 Cal 89-72.

Miami and Virginia Tech are the only ACC teams remaining, with Alabama the only SEC team still up. Miami and Bama are next in action on Monday.

Updated 2011 NIT Tournament bracket and TV schedule:

Left bracket:

• No. 4 New Mexico Lobos at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, March 21 at 9, ESPN
• No. 3 Missouri State Bears at No. 2 Miami Hurricanes, March 21 at 7, ESPN
• No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes defeats  No. 4 California Golden Bears, 89-72
• No. 7 Kent St. Golden Flashes at No. 6 Fairfield Stags, March 20 at 12:30, ESPNU

Right bracket:

• No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats defeats No. 1 Boston College Eagles, 85-67
• No. 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys at  No. 2 Washington St. Cougars, March 21 at 11:30, ESPN2
• No. 4 Wichita St. Shockers at No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies, March 20 at 11 am, ESPN
• No. 6 Charleston Cougars defeats No. 2 Cleveland St. Vikings, 64-56

For more college basketball, visit SB Nation's NCAA Basketball hub.

Scores from the first round of the 2011 NIT Tournament are in the books, with all three ACC teams advancing. Virginia Tech hammered Bethune-Cookman 79-54 and Miami rolled over FAU 82-65 to join Boston College in the second round. The Hokies draw Wichita State, who blasted Nebraska 76-49, and the Canes get Missouri State, who handled Murray State yesterday by 13 points.

There are actually competitive basketball games going on in this tournament, I swear.

Ole Miss was the victim of one such game falling 77-74 to Cal to leave Alabama as the only SEC NIT team to advance. That was the only game Wednesday night decided by two or fewer scores. The Tide get New Mexico next.

Colorado and Northwestern handled Texas Southern and Milwaukee respectively, while Washington State failed to observe Nate Dogg's remembrance, instead eliminating Long Beach State from competition.

Updated 2011 NIT Tournament bracket and TV schedule:

Left bracket:

• No. 4 New Mexico Lobos at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, March 21 at 9, ESPN
• No. 3 Missouri State Bears at No. 2 Miami Hurricanes, March 21 at 7, ESPN
• No. 4 California Golden Bears at No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes, March 18 at 9:30, ESPNU
• No. 7 Kent St. Golden Flashes at No. 6 Fairfield Stags, March 20 at 12:30, ESPNU

Right bracket:

• No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats at No. 1 Boston College Eagles, March 19 at 11 am, ESPN
• No. 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys at  No. 2 Washington St. Cougars, March 21 at 11:30, ESPN2
• No. 4 Wichita St. Shockers at No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies, March 20 at 11 am, ESPN
• No. 6 Charleston Cougars at No. 2 Cleveland St. Vikings, March 19 at 2, ESPNU

For more college basketball, visit SB Nation's NCAA Basketball hub.

A pair of Southeastern schools that were each a few baskets away from the 2011 NCAA Tournament won their NIT openers Tuesday night. Alabama walked over Coastal Carolina and will welcome New Mexico in the second round, while Bobby Cremins' College of Charleston unseated the 2010 tourney champ, Dayton. The SoCon Cougars have a tough test ahead of them, traveling to play Cleveland State next.

The ACC is also 1-0 in the tourney after March Madness near-miss Boston College stomped McNeese State. The conference didn't have a great NCAA Tournament showing, but has a chance to reach 3-0 in the NIT tonight, with No. 1 seed Virginia Tech and No. 2 seed Miami in play against Bethune-Cookman and FAU respectively. The SEC's other team, No. 5 Ole Miss, gets Cal.

The question for this year's NIT: will the three big snubs (Bama, VT, and Colorado) maintain interest stay pissed off long enough to outlast the schools for which winning the tournament would be viewed as a major achievement?

Pretty sure half of these teams could beat UAB, though.

Updated 2011 NIT Tournament bracket and schedule (all times EST):

Left bracket:

• No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide def. No. 8 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, 68-44
• No. 4 New Mexico Lobos def. No. 5 UTEP Miners, 69-57
• No. 3 Missouri State Bears def. No. 6 Murray State Racers, 89-76
• No. 2 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 7 Florida Atlantic Owls, Wednesday at 7:30 pm, ESPN3
• No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes vs. No. 8 Texas Southern, Wednesday at 7 pm, ESPN3
• No. 4 California Golden Bears vs. No. 5 Mississippi Rebels, Wednesday at 9 pm, ESPN2
• No. 6 Fairfield Stags def. No. 3 Colorado St. Rams, 62-60
• No. 2 St. Mary's Gaels vs. No. 7 Kent St. Golden Flashes, Tuesday at 11 pm, ESPN2

Right bracket:

• No. 1 Boston College Eagles def. 8 McNeese St. Cowboys, 82-64
• No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Panthers, Wednesday at 8 pm, ESPN3
• No. 3 Oklahoma St. Cowboys def. No. 6 Harvard Crimson, 71-54
• No. 2 Washington St. Cougars vs. No. 7 Long Beach St. 49ers, Wednesday at 10 pm, ESPNU
• No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. No. 8 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, Wednesday at 8 pm, ESPNU
• No. 4 Wichita St. Shockers vs. No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers, Wednesday at 7 pm, ESPN2
• No. 6 Charleston Cougars def. No. 3 Dayton Flyers, 94-84
• No. 2 Cleveland St. Vikings def. No. 7 Vermont Catamounts, 63-60

For more college basketball, visit SB Nation's NCAA Basketball hub.